Xi Jinping’s Remarks at the Welcome Ceremony at the White House (Full Text)
Mr. President Trump and Ms. Melania,
Ladies and gentlemen, friends:
I am delighted to pay a state visit to the beautiful United States of America. I would like to express my sincere thanks to President Trump and his wife for their warm hospitality extended to me and my wife. First, on behalf of more than 1.4 billion Chinese people, I extend heartfelt greetings to the American people and warm congratulations to the United States on the 250th anniversary of its independence!
China and the United States are both great countries, and the Chinese people and the American people are both great peoples. I am making this visit to the United States at the invitation of President Trump. I have come to carry forward friendship, to expand cooperation, and to enhance the well-being of the people of both countries.
In the face of changes in the world, changes of the times, and changes in history, the two major countries, China and the United States, shoulder a historic responsibility to promote human progress.
During President Trump’s visit to China this year, we agreed on building a China-U.S. constructive strategic relationship. This has been widely welcomed by the people of both countries and the international community. I am willing to join hands with President Trump to help steer the “ship” of China-U.S. relations steadily on course and achieve long-term progress.
— We need to strengthen communication. China and the United States have different national conditions. Through candid, in-depth, and sustained dialogue, we can deepen understanding, seek common ground while setting aside differences, and build mutual trust over time. I respect President Trump and he respects me; we have established a good relationship and maintained frequent communication. We encourage relevant departments of both countries—such as those handling diplomacy, economic and trade affairs, finance, law enforcement, and people-to-people exchanges—to enhance communication, and support the two countries’ legislative bodies in expanding exchanges.
— We need to pursue sincere cooperation. The interests of China and the United States are deeply interwoven, and the scope for cooperation is very broad. Although China-U.S. cooperation cannot solve all problems in the world, many issues would be difficult to address without cooperation between the two countries. China’s door to opening-up will always remain open. We welcome American enterprises to invest and do business in China. We hope the U.S. side will treat Chinese enterprises fairly, jointly lengthen the list of cooperation items, and shorten the list of problem items. Both China and the United States are major powers in artificial intelligence. We have both the capability and the responsibility to develop and manage artificial intelligence well, ensuring that its development is always under human control and for the benefit of the people. The Chinese side is willing to strengthen cooperation with the United States in areas such as drug control and law enforcement. The two sides can increase direct flights so that personnel exchanges and economic and trade ties between the two countries become more convenient.
— We need to coexist in peace. As I have said many times, when China and the United States cooperate, both benefit; when they compete, both are harmed. China and the United States need not conceal competition, but competition should be positive and within boundaries. It should be a race in which each tries to outdo the other, not a duel in which one wins and the other loses. Both sides must hold the bottom line of avoiding conflict and confrontation, and we can surely chart a path of right way for two major countries to get along correctly on this planet. The two countries’ militaries should maintain regular dialogue and improve crisis communication and prevention mechanisms. The “Thucydides Trap” is something that can be overcome.
Ladies and gentlemen, friends!
During the Second World War, China and the United States stood side by side against fascist aggression. For this history, the Chinese people will never forget, and the American people have not forgotten either. China-U.S. relations should look to the people, and to the future in our youth. Here, I would like to announce that over the next five years, China will invite 100,000 American young people to come to China for exchange and study.
Giant pandas are envoys of friendship between the people of China and the United States. Today, I would like to share good news: in just a few days, the giant pandas “Pingping” and “Fushuang” will take up residence at the Atlanta Zoo and meet the American people.
Ladies and gentlemen, friends!
To pursue the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and to enable the United States to be great again are not mutually exclusive. Let us uphold a people-centered approach, demonstrate historical initiative, and continue to advance the friendly cause between the people of China and the United States. Let us work together to build a better world!
Thank you all!
Mr. President Trump and Ms. Melania,
Ladies and gentlemen, friends:
I am delighted to pay a state visit to the beautiful United States of America. I would like to express my sincere thanks to President Trump and his wife for their warm hospitality extended to me and my wife. First, on behalf of more than 1.4 billion Chinese people, I extend heartfelt greetings to the American people and warm congratulations to the United States on the 250th anniversary of its independence!
China and the United States are both great countries, and the Chinese people and the American people are both great peoples. I am making this visit to the United States at the invitation of President Trump. I have come to carry forward friendship, to expand cooperation, and to enhance the well-being of the people of both countries.
In the face of changes in the world, changes of the times, and changes in history, the two major countries, China and the United States, shoulder a historic responsibility to promote human progress.
During President Trump’s visit to China this year, we agreed on building a China-U.S. constructive strategic relationship. This has been widely welcomed by the people of both countries and the international community. I am willing to join hands with President Trump to help steer the “ship” of China-U.S. relations steadily on course and achieve long-term progress.
— We need to strengthen communication. China and the United States have different national conditions. Through candid, in-depth, and sustained dialogue, we can deepen understanding, seek common ground while setting aside differences, and build mutual trust over time. I respect President Trump and he respects me; we have established a good relationship and maintained frequent communication. We encourage relevant departments of both countries—such as those handling diplomacy, economic and trade affairs, finance, law enforcement, and people-to-people exchanges—to enhance communication, and support the two countries’ legislative bodies in expanding exchanges.
— We need to pursue sincere cooperation. The interests of China and the United States are deeply interwoven, and the scope for cooperation is very broad. Although China-U.S. cooperation cannot solve all problems in the world, many issues would be difficult to address without cooperation between the two countries. China’s door to opening-up will always remain open. We welcome American enterprises to invest and do business in China. We hope the U.S. side will treat Chinese enterprises fairly, jointly lengthen the list of cooperation items, and shorten the list of problem items. Both China and the United States are major powers in artificial intelligence. We have both the capability and the responsibility to develop and manage artificial intelligence well, ensuring that its development is always under human control and for the benefit of the people. The Chinese side is willing to strengthen cooperation with the United States in areas such as drug control and law enforcement. The two sides can increase direct flights so that personnel exchanges and economic and trade ties between the two countries become more convenient.
— We need to coexist in peace. As I have said many times, when China and the United States cooperate, both benefit; when they compete, both are harmed. China and the United States need not conceal competition, but competition should be positive and within boundaries. It should be a race in which each tries to outdo the other, not a duel in which one wins and the other loses. Both sides must hold the bottom line of avoiding conflict and confrontation, and we can surely chart a path of right way for two major countries to get along correctly on this planet. The two countries’ militaries should maintain regular dialogue and improve crisis communication and prevention mechanisms. The “Thucydides Trap” is something that can be overcome.
Ladies and gentlemen, friends!
During the Second World War, China and the United States stood side by side against fascist aggression. For this history, the Chinese people will never forget, and the American people have not forgotten either. China-U.S. relations should look to the people, and to the future in our youth. Here, I would like to announce that over the next five years, China will invite 100,000 American young people to come to China for exchange and study.
Giant pandas are envoys of friendship between the people of China and the United States. Today, I would like to share good news: in just a few days, the giant pandas “Pingping” and “Fushuang” will take up residence at the Atlanta Zoo and meet the American people.
Ladies and gentlemen, friends!
To pursue the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and to enable the United States to be great again are not mutually exclusive. Let us uphold a people-centered approach, demonstrate historical initiative, and continue to advance the friendly cause between the people of China and the United States. Let us work together to build a better world!
Thank you all!